Entrepreneurial Spirit Fuels Success in the Film Industry

If you haven’t already noticed, our business is insanely, ridiculously competitive, and everyone is scurrying around vying for their place at the front of the line and a way to stand out among the crowd.  And what I’ve noticed more and more lately is that those who are making their mark are the ones who treat themselves as a business and think of themselves as not only an artist, a producer, a writer, an assistant director (or whatever their craft or job happens to be)… but also as an entrepreneur.

A little entrepreneurial spirit goes a long way, and it can clearly distinguish you from thousands of others competing for the same jobs, roles and opportunities.  But you need to be brave enough to jump outside of the proverbial box and take a chance.  Find a need and fill it.  Figure out what you’re good at or passionate about and then share it with others.  

Whatever it is you want to accomplish, start by creating realistic goals for yourself.  Gather as much advice as you can.  Then generate a timeline and a game plan.  Create an Internet and social media presence.  Let everyone you know and meet know what you want to do, and meet as many new people as you can.  Learn everything you can about marketing yourself.  Build a following.  Surround yourself with a great support team, and ask for help when you need it.

Be the one who stands out by being the guy who’s the amazing photographer.  The one who films in third-world countries.  The one who sends out helpful (and humorous) screenwriting tips.  The one who created the podcast, taught the class, wrote the book, put together a network of 40,000-strong, made the amazing documentary, started the organization, created the popular website, lectures all over the world, makes and sells beautiful art.  Be the one who (fill in the blank). 

The individuals who stand out to me are not only the ones who boldly venture outside of their comfort zones and create alternate streams of income (which BTW is nirvana for freelancers), but are the ones whose passions involve helping others.  Some of my entrepreneurial heroes include:  Jeff Gund, Sandra Lord, Stephen Marinaccio, Suzanne Lyons, Anne Marie Gillen, Jenna Edwards, Cindy Freeman, Heather Hale, Kathy McCurdy, Xander Bennett, Marc Hernandez, Cindy Baer, Stuart Altman, Guy Magar, Andy Stoll, Robert Bahar, Mark Indig, Robbie Szelei, Todd Taylor and Susan Spohr.

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.  Create your own!

Owning Our Accomplishents

I have always been a behind-the-scenes person, and while I have a good sense of who I am and of my achievements, I’ve never felt comfortable in front of a camera or as the center of too much attention.

There was a time when I was terrified of public speaking, and it took a lot for me to finally stand in front of a classroom and teach without feeling as if I was going to throw-up (sorry, I know… that’s not a pretty picture).  But I conquered that fear and have since lectured to auditoriums full of students. 

My next big hurdle came sometime last year when my publisher asked if I would consent to being interviewed on camera for one of Focal Press’ new websites (www.FilmSkills.com).  Panic!  (Don’t ask me where this came from.  All I know is that I’ve been this way my whole life.  So maybe it has something to do with something that happened to me in a previous life.)  A couple of friends told me point blank to get over myself… that I needed to do this to promote my books.  It took a while, but I finally agreed.  And while I still haven’t seen the cut footage of myself online, I did survive the experience.

I once again ventured outside of my comfort zone last Saturday, when I participated in a FilmMethod (www.film-method.com) podcast.  (Not as scary as being on-camera, but I have to admit, I was a bit nervous walking in.)  This series of podcasts is for indie producers and is created by the amazing Cindy Freeman and Jenna Edwards with able assistance from the equally amazing Lynda Lopez.  These women are wonderful.  And besides the fact that they made the recording session very comfortable… they couldn’t stop complimenting me.  They love my books, and they were thrilled to meet me.  Jenna asked me to sign her copy of my production handbook, and they told me that they recommend it on their podcast and refer to it often.  They insisted on taking pictures with me (cringe).  They told me again how great it was to have me there.  And I was totally blushing and self-conscious.  I’m used to taking care of celebrities… not being one!

Two days later, I received an e-mail from an adjunct professor from Watkins College in Nashville who was in Los Angeles for a few days.  He uses my book as a text.  He’s a big fan and wanted to know if I’d consider meeting him for coffee.  So I met him at a near-by Starbucks, and we talked for two hours while I faced another barrage of compliments. 

I teach my students that they need to know what they have to offer, own it and be proud of it.  So why isn’t it easier for me?  It isn’t as if I don’t know that I’m good at my job… that I’m a good teacher who loves motivating and helping people with their careers… that my two books are being used, recommended and appreciated.  But I’ve come to realize that I can no longer do what I do and promote my books and workshops while expecting to remain behind-the-scenes.  And when faced with praise, I just have to remember to take a deep breath, smile and say “thank you!” – grateful that I even have fans and welcoming the attention instead of shying away from it.

April 16, 2011 - "Reinvention"

I don’t know any group of people who reinvent themselves more than those of us who work in the entertainment industry.  From TV to features, film to digital, standard formats to new media options, freelancing to having a staff job, shooting a picture in water to shooting one in a jungle, from a $5 million budget to a $250 million blockbuster.  There are always new learning curves to conquer, and it’s part of what makes what we do so interesting and varied.  So while I’ve been riding one learning curve or another throughout my entire career, I find the process a lot more challenging when not working within a structured environment – when it’s not part of a job I’m hired to do and am left to my own devices.

Teaching is something I fell into by accident (in 1998 to be exact) and discovered I loved.  And I’ve been fortunate enough to have opportunities to teach or do workshops or guest lecture most summers and in-between my other “real” jobs.  But now, while waiting to land a new job, I’ve decided to pursue more teaching opportunities and (as you know) to hold a series of monthly one-day workshops.  This is something I thoroughly enjoy doing (especially knowing that I’m able to help, inspire and motivate others).  So you would think that being able to do something I love should bring me great joy, right?  But the word that comes to mind instead is angst.

My friend Suzanne Lyons has taught me (along with thousands of others like me in the entertainment industry) that I am the CEO of my own company, and the product I’m selling is “me”.  Along the same lines, I recently heard a commercial for (I believe it was a college), and their catch phrase is, “You’re in the business of you!”  So I get it!  If I don’t market myself, I won’t get tushes in the seats at my workshops or be able to push the limits of my book sales.  But like everything else these days, the way things are being sold and promoted is changing on a day-to-day basis, and for someone who doesn’t come from that world to begin with, it’s a bit overwhelming.

I’ve learned that I need a brand and a slogan, that I need to build an e-mailing list and a following.  I’ve been guest speaking at a lot of local colleges, universities and industry-related organizations lately to promote the workshops and books and to build this ever-increasing e-mailing list.  I’ve been reaching out to former students and co-workers who have been steadfast in recommending the workshops.  As recommended, I created an event/ticketing page… and as you see, I’ve started a newsletter (which is a pretty big commitment… maybe not as big as writing a book, but it’s a sizable commitment nonetheless). 

What I’m having a bit of trouble with is the deep abyss that constitutes social media.  It took me forever to get onto Facebook and Linkedin and to have my own website – and I was pretty proud of myself once I had all three, even though I couldn’t have done it without considerable help (especially from my friend, Robbie).  But now I’m told that that’s no longer enough.  In one day, my new intern (who had miraculously materialized from nowhere and volunteered to be my savior) had me signed-up on Twitter, Skype and Tumblr.  And he told me that that was just the beginning.  When I mentioned to this intern that for someone who likes to feel in control, I was feeling as if I’d been kidnapped by aliens, he told me to relax… that he was in the driver’s seat, and all I had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.  The problem is, my intern got a new job and quickly abandoned me by the side of the road.  Now I have all of these accounts and am not quite sure what to do with them.  To make matters worse, someone stole my credit card number and racked up over a thousand dollars worth of software, Internet and Skype charges.  I haven’t used Skype yet, but a hacker has been using my account!

So I’ve applied to a few schools for new interns and am hoping to find a couple of bright, social media-savvy young people who can assist me in creating a social media presence.  And my friend Todd Taylor has ridden in to help me set up an e-mailing service (so I can distribute this new newsletter) and to help me create my “Hollywood Drive” brand.  (What would we ever do without the help of our friends?!)

I envision a time when none of this will be an issue, but at the moment, I feel like heading for the proverbial hills.  The thing is, though, my whole career has been about change and learning new things, so why should this be any different?